New Jersey Sends Analilia Mejia to Congress After Mikie Sherrill Exit

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Analilia Mejia officially sworn in, takes over NJ’s 11th District seat

New Jersey has a new voice in Washington.

Analilia Mejia was sworn in Monday as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives, stepping into the role after voters in the 11th Congressional District chose her in a special election on April 16.

The seat opened up after Mikie Sherrill resigned from Congress following her election as governor.

Mejia, a Glen Ridge resident, defeated Joe Hathaway and Alan Bond to finish out the remainder of Sherrill’s term, with the Associated Press calling the race in her favor.

First speech: “Stand up. Defend. Restore.”

In her first address on the House floor, Mejia leaned into both personal roots and a broader message about rights, history, and responsibility.

She highlighted her background as the daughter of a Dominican factory worker and a Colombian seamstress, calling her presence in Congress “an unlikely reality.”

She also grounded her message in New Jersey, shouting out places like Morristown and Bloomfield while tying them to the nation’s founding and progress.

A major theme of her speech focused on civil rights history, referencing the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act and the importance of protecting constitutional rights.

Her message was clear and direct:

“Stand up. Defend. Restore.”

Mejia said the call isn’t just about democracy, but also about building “a just economy that actually works for working people.”

She pointed to real-life examples, from a retired firefighter struggling to access healthcare to families sacrificing coverage just to afford college.

“These are not abstract policy debates,” she said. “These are real consequences.”

What’s next

Mejia now represents one of New Jersey’s most closely watched districts as the state’s leadership shifts at both the state and federal level.

Her early tone signals a focus on:

• Civil rights and constitutional protections
• Economic pressure on working families
• Healthcare access
• Accountability in Washington

All eyes now turn to how that message translates into action.